- Our expert take
- W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance at a glance
- How much does W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance cost?
- What does W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance cover?
- What types of vehicles does W.R. Berkley insure?
- How does W.R. Berkley compare to competitors?
- Compare commercial auto insurance companies
- How can I buy W.R. Berkley commercial vehicle insurance?
- What our expert says
- FAQs: W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance guide
Our expert take
W.R. Berkley has specialty coverage options, including garage liability, motor truck cargo and excess auto liability protection, and it offers coverage for large fleets.
Online quotes aren't available, and policy options and customer service will vary by the issuing subsidiary.
- Specialty coverage options
- Complete insurance package
- No online quotes
- Coverage must be purchased through an agent
W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance at a glance
| Review Category | Details |
|---|---|
| AM Best rating | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.50 |
| Available in | 49 states through its subsidiaries (not available in Hawaii) |
| Best for | Small businesses in niche industries that require specialty underwriting |
| Not ideal for | Small businesses with one or few vehicles |
How much does W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance cost?
W.R. Berkley doesn’t publish average costs for commercial auto insurance, making it hard to compare with other companies’ costs. Small-business broker Insureon finds the average commercial auto cost at $147 a month, which comes to $1,762 a year.
W.R. Berkley's commercial auto insurance pricing for your particular business can be accurately determined by obtaining a custom quote. Comparing W.R. Berkley's rate with quotes from multiple competitors helps you identify the company offering the most affordable rates.
How does W.R. Berkley determine commercial auto insurance rates?
W.R. Berkley evaluates your business’s risk profile to determine your cost of commercial auto insurance. Cost-determining risk profile factors include:
- Industry
- Number, type and age of vehicles
- Vehicle use
- Driving history
- Claims history
- Location
- Coverage types, limits and deductibles
Does W.R. Berkley offer any commercial auto discounts for business owners
Yes, W.R. Berkley offers a variety of discounts that may help business owners lower their commercial auto premium.
Berkley doesn’t advertise commercial auto insurance discounts on its website. However, it might offer ways to reduce your premium. Here are common discount that may help you potentially save money on your commercial auto insurance policy:
- Bundling discount: Many insurers provide a discount for bundling commercial auto insurance with another policy, like general liability insurance or commercial property insurance.
- Paid-in-full discount: You can sometimes earn a small discount if you pay your annual premium upfront and in full at the start of the policy period.
- Good driver discount: If your employees have clean driving records with no recent accidents or violations, Berkley might give you a discount on your commercial auto insurance premium.
Another good way to save is to hire drivers with good driving records to ensure you get the best rates.
What does W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance cover?
What is covered by W.R. Berkley's commercial auto insurance policy depends on what coverage you pick to be a part of it. The most basic policy will include liability insurance and, if your state requires it, uninsured/underinsured motorist, personal injury protection (PIP), or medical payments (MedPay). A full coverage policy will also include collision and comprehensive coverage, providing protection for your vehicle.
Here’s a look at what coverage states may require and what optional coverage could potentially be added to a policy.
| Coverage type | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Required by states. Covers injuries you cause to others; required everywhere; limits vary by state. |
| Property damage liability | Required by states. Covers property damage you cause to others' property; usually optional. |
| Collision | Optional. If you have a lease or loan on a vehicle, the lender may mandate you have it. Covers damage or loss from business-use accidents. |
| Comprehensive | Optional. If you have a lease or loan on a vehicle, the lender may mandate you have it. Covers damage or loss from weather, theft, fire and more. |
| UM/UIM | Requirements vary by state. Covers damage or loss from accidents caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. |
| PIP or MedPay | Availability and requirements vary by state. Covers medical expenses and related costs for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Optional. Coverage for rented or employee-owned vehicles used for business. |
| Roadside assistance | Optional. Covers towing, battery jumps, flat tires and lockouts. |
| Rental reimbursement | Optional. Covers rental vehicle while business vehicle is out of service for an approved claim. |
| Trailer/cargo | Requirements vary by state. Covers trailers and cargo you use for business, but don’t own. |
| Any auto | Availability varies by state. Covers both hired and nonowned vehicles, such as an employee’s personal car used for business. |
What is included in W.R.Berkley'scommercial auto insurance?
W.R. Berkley's standard coverages for commercial auto insurance varies by state, but can include:
- Liability: This pays for injuries to others and damage to other cars or property when your driver is at fault for the accident. Commercial auto insurance liability limits can be split, such as 25/50/25 with the first two numbers for bodily injury and the third for property damage or combined, like $300,000 for both coverage types.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): This helps pay for injuries associated with an accident that wasn’t your fault when the other party either has no insurance or lacks enough coverage to pay for the loss. Some states also offer uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage that pays for damage to your vehicle.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This pays for accident-related medical costs that you or your passengers incur, along with lost wages and replacement services, to perform tasks you’re unable to due to your injuries.
- Medical payments: This protects your driver and passengers and helps pay for injuries they incur in an accident.
- Collision: This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it hits another object, overturns, rolls or is in a collision with another vehicle, regardless of fault. Collision coverage comes with a deductible.
- Comprehensive: This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by events other than a collision, such as vandalism, fire, or storm damage. Comprehensive coverage comes with a deductible.
Does W.R. Berkley offer optional or industry-specific coverage options?
W.R. Berkley offers several optional commercial auto coverage options, including:
- Hired auto: Extend coverage to employee-owned or rented vehicles when used for business purposes.
- Non-owned autos: Extends liability coverage to employee-owned vehicles used for business reasons.
- Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your business vehicle is in the shop for claim-related repairs.
- Trailer/cargo: Protects cargo and trailers used for business operations that your company doesn’t own.
Berkley’s subsidiaries also offer specialty coverages, including garage liability insurance, garage keepers’ legal liability insurance, motor truck cargo insurance, trailer interchange insurance, leasing contingent auto liability insurance and several others.
What types of vehicles does W.R. Berkley insure?
W.R. Berkley's commercial auto insurance covers a wide range of vehicles, such as:
- Business autos: This includes cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans
- Trucks: W.R. Berkley covers a variety of trucks, including dump trucks and general freight haulers
- Trailers: This includes pickup truck utility trailers, dump trailers and tractor trailers
How does W.R. Berkley compare to competitors?
Berkley is the ninth-largest commercial auto insurance company by market share, controlling just over 2% of the market, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It has a complaint level lower than average for competitors its size.
Use Insurance.com’s commercial auto comparison tool to gain more insight into how W.R. Berkley compares with top competitors.
How can I buy W.R. Berkley commercial vehicle insurance?
To purchase commercial car insurance from Berkley, you’ll need to find a subsidiary that issues policies for your industry. Then, you can call the underwriter and request a quote.
Here’s a checklist for the information you’ll need when purchasing a policy from W.R. Berkley:
- The names, license numbers and driving record information (tickets or accidents) of all the workers who’ll be driving your business vehicles
- The make, model, year and VIN of your business vehicles
- The place your business is located and what each vehicle will be used for
- The estimated number of miles each vehicle will be driven annually
- The coverage types, policy limits and deductible amount you want
Expert tips: How can I save money on W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance?Commercial auto insurance is a necessary expense for small business owners. Here are some strategies to save on commercial auto insurance and ensure you’re getting the best rate for your policy.
- Bundle policies. If you already have a BOP or other commercial coverage with W.R. Berkley, ask if you can get your commercial auto policy there as well and bundle to save money.
- Compare rates. Every insurer, including W.R. Berkley, evaluates risk differently. Get quotes from at least three companies to make sure you’re getting the most competitive price for the coverages and limits you need.
- Check for discounts. Ask W.R. Berkley agents about any discounts or other savings programs you may qualify for.
- Review your coverage choices. Assess your W.R. Berkley coverage yearly. Look at your limits, deductibles and any optional coverages you’ve added on. Make sure your coverage and limits match your actual exposure. If affordable, you can often raise your deductible to lower premiums.
What our expert says
Q: Any tips on how to save on commercial auto insurance?
FAQs: W.R. Berkley commercial auto insurance guide
How do I file a commercial auto claim with W.R. Berkley?
To file a claim with W. R. Berkley, you may be able to use an online claim form, depending on which subsidiary issued your policy. You can contact your agent to determine your best method of claim filing.
Can I bundle my commercial auto insurance with other policies from W.R. Berkley?
Yes, you can bundle commercial auto insurance with other W.R. Berkley business insurance, like a general liability policy or a business owner's policy (BOP). However, you can only bundle with the same subsidiary. For instance, you can bundle commercial auto insurance and general liability insurance from Berkley Southeast. You can’t bundle commercial auto insurance from Berkley Southeast and general liability insurance from Berkley Entertainment because they’re different underwriters.
Does W.R. Berkley offer fleet insurance?
Yes, W.R. Berkley offers coverage under its various subsidiaries, such as Berkley Prime Transportation, to protect companies that have multiple vehicles. Talk to an agent to learn more about W.R. Berkley's commercial auto fleet program.
